Welcome to the CIM Handbook. Here you will find comprehensive information specifically for the California Institution For Men, I’ve separated the categories to assist those in need of contact information for CIM, visiting information, lodging and eating places near CIM, etc...

Opened in 1941 in Chino, California The California Institution for Men was unique in the field of penology because it was known as the prison without walls. It was opened as a level one facility housing first time offenders and those considered low risk to the community. The prisons progressive first warden, Kenyon Scudder wanted a name that was consistent with the prison’s mission of education and rehabilitation.

When CIM opened the only “security” fence around the facility units was a five-strand barbwire livestock fence, intended mainly to keep the dairy cows from wandering through the living areas. CIM has since increased security to meet the challenges a vastly different inmate population requires. While no longer the “prison without walls” CIM does have the largest level one facility in the Department. In June 2006 CIM will proudly celebrate 65 years of continuous and faithful service to the People and the State of California.

The California Institution for Men consists of four separate facilities under the administration of one warden. Located three miles south of the city center of Chino, it provides housing for minimum through medium custody inmates. The reception centers receive and process newly committed male felons from several southern California counties. CIM operates a 24-hour licensed acute care inpatient hospital, and a 100-bed HIV unit.

Central Reception:

Levels 1-4 Unclassified Inmates

Chino’s Reception Centers house new and returning inmates from the States Southern Counties and Parole Agencies that are committed to the Director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Reception Center mission is to safely and securely house and process incoming inmates by compiling and evaluating the inmates' criminal records, life histories, medical, dental, physiological and mental health histories, and social histories, and determining the inmates' custody score, identify any specific placement needs, and assigning the to one of the 33 State prisons.

West Yard(CIM2)

Levels II SNY inmates

East Reception:

Levels I-IV Unclassified Inmates and PWC’s (Permanent Work Crews)

East Reception has 5 yards, 2 Yards house general population inmates that remain in reception status and 2 Sensitive Needs Yard. Del Norte houses all Level II & III PWC’s that provide support services for the East Reception Center.

Minimum Support Facility:

Level I

The MSF Yard is made up of several dormitories and houses CIM’s Level I Permanent Work Crews. Inmates on the MSF yard provide all support services for Central, West and MSF Yards

Inmate Programs:

PIA: Scheduled for opening in late 2006, a 30,000 square foot modular building manufacturing plant, a new 50,000 square foot distribution warehouse and a juice packaging plant to compliment the milk packaging facility. Also slated to reopen in late 2006, a totally revamped deep sea diver training program that promises to be even more comprehensive than the original.

The California Inmate Quarterly Package system allows you to send much-desired items to your incarcerated loved one. Each institution sets it’s own rules as to what items are allowed and prohibited and items vary by privilege groups. As a result, vendors therefore provide services to a limited amount of Facilities, Camps, CCF’s or the LA County Jail System. All Quarterly Packages are limited to a maximum weight of 30 Lbs. Nor can they exceed dimensions of 24” x 24” x 24”. All vendors list those institutions for which they provide goods and services and what privilege groups.

Special Packages:

Special Packages allow for the purchase of Electronics, Accessories, Musical Instruments, Under Garments and Clothing, Correspondence Courses, Legal Material and Faith Based Items. That would otherwise crowd a quarterly package beyond its allowed weight or dimensions. There is no limit to the amount of special packages allowed in a calendar year. However due to the limited items available and limited space for which to store their property. Special Order Packages will most likely only be utilized one or twice per a calendar year. Note: Some institutions require that Special Order Packages be ordered by and paid for by the inmates themselves. Individuals are not allowed to purchase Special Order Packages and have them sent directly to their inmates at some institutions. Contact your facilities R& R Department to assure that you can send special packages direct.

Inmate Quarterly Package, Yearly Quarters:

1St – January 1 Through March 31. 2nd – April 1 Through June 30.3rd – July 1 Through September 30.4th – October 1 Through December 31.

APPROVED INMATE PACKAGE VENDORSCalendar Year 2010(Revised 3/4/10)"This is the full CDCR list of approved vendors. Please note that one or more of the listed vendors may not be approved by this prison."

·Paper: Up to 50 sheets of letter sized loose paper or lined paper removed from any binders.·Envelopes and Stamps: You can send up to 2 books (40 stamps) total or 20 pre-stamped envelopes. Metered or from Post office are both okay. No Labels of any kind.·Special Occasion Cards/Postcard: Cards cannot contain glitter, metal, music, attachments or stickers. Postcards must not exceed 6 x 8.5 and should not contain nudity, provocative images and racist or defamatory images. ·Photographs: You can mail up to 20 4x6 photos in each letter. CIM requires that you put the inmates name and CDC # on the back of each photo.·Items Obtained from the Internet: You can send up to 20 pages of items, pictures, stories and jokes that you have printed from the internet. It is best if you just copy the page from the Internet and paste it to a clean word document.·Money Orders: Money Orders of any amount may be sent to your inmate. Simply include in any letter and mailroom staff will remove it for posting. Usually it will be available within 7 days from receipt. Make M.O. Payable to your inmate, include his Unit name, Cell #, Bunk, P.O. Box, City and State.·Magazines: Magazines can only be sent to those inmates not in reception.·Letters:·Reception Inmate Stationary Packages: To include up to 50 sheets of paper and up to 40 stamps (2x 20 books or 20 pre-stamped envelopes) or 20 plain envelopes. Put all items in a manila envelope no larger than 12.5 x 15 with metal clasp removed.

Dress Code For East Yard: Dress code for CIM Chino is strictly enforced per title 15 Visiting Attire. No Blue, Beige, Green Pants or shorts. No Solid Blue, Beige or Green Shirts or Jackets. No tight fitting clothes

* Special Notes: You may arrive at anytime and be processed before 2:00 pm. Central, West & the MSF yards all get processed at the Main Visitor's Center off Central Avenue. East Yard and Del Norte are processed at the East Facility Visitor Center off Eucalyptus Road. Wait times vary depending on Yard and Housing. All Non-Contact visits are inside, all Contact visits are outside on open and covered patios. In the fall and winter dress appropriatley as it gets cold, same in spring and summer.

Some prisons are different but here is some info that pertains to most California Prisons:

The visitor(s) shall adhere to all institutional procedures and departmental regulations while on institutions grounds. Participation in the Family Visiting Program is restricted to immediate family members, unless a legal foster relationship exists. Immediate family members are defined as legal spouse of the inmate and the inmate's legal stepchildren.

Required Documentation Needed for Each Family Visit:

Proof of marriage shall be established by the inmate’s assigned Correctional Counselor prior to family visit being approved. A certified marriage certificate shall be required and presented to the Family Visiting Officer prior to each visit. A marriage certificate is required for both stepparents and the inmate’s wife. No Photostat copies will be accepted.

You must bring positive identification showing a photo for every visitor 18 years of age or over. Positive valid identification shall be one of the following. Drivers license, DMV Identification Card, passport, USINS card, military I.D. or other piece of governmental identification. The inmate's brother, sister, children and grandchildren (minors and adults) must present birth certificates prior to each family visit. Grandparents must bring verification of relationship prior to the family visit. This can be done presenting the inmate's birth certificate and the inmate's parent's certified birth certificate (the grandparent's child) to show family lineage. An inmate’s minor children visiting without their natural mother, must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor. Who must present a written notarized approval from the minor child's natural parent or legal guardian.

All certificates must be obtained through the county recorder's office and must be embossed or have inked county seat.

Authorized Property for Family Visits:

Visitors are authorized to possess the following items while participating in the family visiting program:

* One bag of clothing per visitor in paper, plastic or canvas duffel type bags. No suitcases are permitted.

* Soft bound books and magazines only (not to exceed two)

* Bath towels, wash cloths and sheets will be provided by the institution.

Visitors with Children:

Disposable diapers only, baby powder, baby food, and formula may be brought into the institution in factory-sealed containers only. Children's toys shall be simple games, coloring books, colored or regular pencils, or crayons. Only searchable toys will be allowed in.

Food for Family Visits:

Food has to be ordered through Walkenhorst or Access. All food items not consumed on the visit must be taken home with the visitor or disposed of in an approved manner. Nothing may be taken back into the institution by the inmate.

Special Note: Only prescribed medication will be allowed. All medication must be accompanied by the current prescription and is subject to prior approval by the Chief medical Officer (CMO). A letter from your doctor listing your medication must be returned with your confirmation. Any person(s) visiting the California Men’s Colony (CMC), on a family visit, who needs narcotic medication, or life sustaining medication(s) or life sustaining apparatus, must have prior approval to participate in the family visiting program. Approval can be obtained by having your physician submit a letter to the CMO or CMC to explain the extent of your medical problem and be in approval of your overnight visit to the prison. Failure to have prior written approval will result in your visit being denied upon arrival at the institution.

A REMINDER: IT IS ILLEGAL TO BRING WEAPONS, AMMUNITION, TEARGAS, ALCOHOL, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES OR NARCOTICS INTO A PENAL INSTITUTION. NO SMOKING ALLOWED.

Clothing:

The same dress code applies for family visitors as regular visitors when entering and exiting the institution. Undergarments must be gender specific.

The following items are NOT allowed:Clothing for inmates, garment bags, or hangers, blue denim jeans or jackets (male or female), sweats or jogging suits.

Cosmetics and basic hygiene:

The following cosmetic items listed are limited in quantity as to what is necessary for the duration of the visit. All items must be able to be searched with a limit of (5)

1. Makeup foundation 2. Blush 3. Eyeliner 4. Mascara 5. Lipstick

A spouse shall be permitted to bring into the institution a maximum of (10) commercially sealed condoms. All unused condoms shall be retained in their sealed containers and taken out of the institution by the visiting spouse. Under no circumstances shall an inmate be permitted to possess condoms outside of the family visiting quarters.

***NO ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND NO AEROSOL CONTAINERS***

The following items must be factory sealed or in clear containers with clear contents (one of each) and must not contain alcohol and cannot be flammable:

All the items listed above depict those items that are authorized. Any items not listed above shall be considered unauthorized and will not be admitted into the institution.

CONFIRMATION

ALL PAPERWORK MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE FAMILY VISITING COORDINATOR AT LEAST 21 DAYS PRIOR TO THE VISIT. PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT CASHIER'S CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS. ALL FUNDS SUBMITTED FOR FAMILY VISITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. MAKE CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS PAYABLE TO THE INMATE.

Central MotelThis looks like apartments - like when a motel is so old, it rents out rooms on a weekly or monthly basis. Located on the edge of the ghetto part of Chino. Police station across the street; fire station almost next door. No food places near. Old neighborhood grocery store a long block away next to the ghetto area.

Best Western Pine Tree MotelBW Pine Tree is decent; in good repair. Very busy traffic area; food, groceries, gas in walking distance. It's not in the ghetto part of Chino. Of all the places in Chino, BW Pine Tree is probably the ONLY one I would consider in Chino.

Motel 6Motel 6 is on the 60 freeway, up the embankment. Never stayed there but I can't imagine it's very quiet. It sits back from Central, behind another business. Same "food amenities" as BW Pine Tree; just a little farther away..

Nicer hotel/motels that are much closer:

Extended Stay America - Chino Valleywww.extendedstayamerica.com/minisite/?hotelID=8854325 Corporate Center Ave. Chino, CA 91710 909-597-8675Straight out the main gate about a mile. Can walk to CIM or walk about a block and a half to a bus stop to take the bus. Restaurants near, fast food and groceries a little further.

Ayres Hotelwww.ayreshotels.com/chinohills/index.asp4785 Chino Hills Parkway, Chino Hills, CA909-631-2922Straight out the main gate less than a mile. Can walk to CIM or walk about a half a block (through a large shopping complex) to a bus stop to take the bus. Unless the weather is ugly, it's not worth the cost; it's that close. Restaurants near, fast food and groceries a little further.

Hampton Inn & Suiteshttp://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/photo_gallery.jhtml?ctyhocn=CICCAHX3150 Chino Avenue, Chino Hills, CA 91709909-591-2474Drive a mile south of CIM to the 71 freeway, go north 2 miles and it's on the left side.This really doesn't have a bus route, unless you walk about 2 miles to the corner of Roswell & Schaefer, Chino, CA, then catch Bus 65 from there. Restaurants near, fast food and groceries a little further.

Take the 5 South merge onto the I-210 East towards Pasadena, CA
Continue onto the 57 South to the 71 South towards Corona, CA
Exit at Chino Hills Parkway (exit # 142) and go left on Chino Hills Parkway and continue on till you reach Central Avenue. Continue forward into the CIM Main entrance and park to the right, you will see the Visitor Center on the Eastside of the Parking Lot.

East Yard:

Take the 5 South merge onto the I-210 East towards Pasadena, CA
Continue onto the 57 South to the 71 South towards Corona, CA
Exit at Chino Hills Parkway (exit # 142) and go left on Chino Hills Parkway and continue on till you reach Central Avenue. Make a left on Central Avenue to Edison Avenue and make a right, continue down to Euclid Ave. Make a Right on Euclid, continue to Eucalyptus and make a right on Eucalyptus. You will see the prison from Eucalyptus Ave. just follow the road to the facility. Park to the left of the Guard Tower, the visiting center is below the guard tower.

From the South:

Central, West and MSF Yards:

Take the I-15 North Towards Riverside, CA and exit onto the 91 West. Continue on the 91 West and exit onto the 71 North toward Chino Hills. Take the 71 North and exit Central Avenue. Make a right on Central Avenue and continue to Chino Hills Parkway, make a right into the CIM Main Entrance. Continue forward and park to the right, you will see the Visitor Center on the Eastside of the Parking Lot.

East Yard:

Take the I-15 North Towards Riverside, CA and exit onto the 91 West. Continue on the 91 West and exit onto the 71 North toward Chino Hills. Take the 71 North and exit Euclid Avenue. Continue to your right down Euclid Ave past Chino Airport and make a left on Eucalyptus Ave. You will see the prison from Eucalyptus Ave. just follow the road to the facility. Park to the left of the Guard Tower, the visiting center is below the guard tower.

From the East:

Central, West and MSF Yards:

Take the 60 West and exit Central Avenue. Make a left onto Central Avenue and continue to Chino Hills Parkway. Make a left into he CIM Main entrance and park to the right you will see the Visitor Center on the Eastside of the Parking Lot.

East Yard:

Take the 60 West and exit South Euclid Avenue. Make a left onto S. Euclid Avenue and continue to Eucalyptus Ave. Make a right onto Eucalyptus Ave. you will see the prison from Eucalyptus Ave. just follow the road to the facility. Park to the left of the Guard Tower, the visiting center is below the guard tower.